Minimum Wage Deal at Calif. Capitol

Under the deal, California’s $8/hour minimum wage would rise to $9/hour in July of next year, then to $10/hour in January of 2016. That’s a faster pace than the original bill that’s been moving through the legislature this year. But it does not include automatic adjustments for inflation, as was previously proposed.

The California Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the California Restaurant Association all oppose a minimum wage increase. And they’re not happy with this deal.

It also appears some outside pressure may have loomed over the negotiations. Labor unions have been talking about qualifying a minimum wage initiative for next year’s ballot. Now, that’s less likely to move forward.

Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool – though not necessarily by choice. Now, he leads Capital Public Radio’s state Capitol coverage, which airs on NPR stations across California. Read Full Bio